Need advice on a new Garmin GPS unit for my boat.......Posted by Boondock Saint on 4/2/13 at 10:05 am

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I think this my first post on this board......anyway, I've got a 23 foot Blazer Bay and my Garmin unit is getting outdated.

I would love some recommendations from people who currently own a newer model. I want it to be touchscreen and have very good satellite imagery. There are many to choose from on their website and I just wanted to see if anyone has one they really like or could recommend.

My boat is in Dulac at my camp (I'm in Lafayette), so I've posted the best picture I could find of the console and current unit (the faces are blanked out to protect the innocent .) I think it is about a 12 inch screen and I want to replace it with a similar size. TIA.

re: Need advice on a new Garmin GPS unit for my boat.......Posted by NYCAuburn on 4/2/13 at 10:43 am to Boondock Saint

quote:I saw these on their website, but it seemed like they had 10 models that come with this. Any specific model number??

Well there are two types of charts with garmin the regular blue chart g2 and the vision, the regular comes with it, and most find decent, the vision is the extra, it come with higher details, satelite imagery, photos of popular areas like marinas etc... The vision is cool, but more expensive.

Sorry thats all I have no first hand expierence with the others brands

re: Need advice on a new Garmin GPS unit for my boat.......Posted by 007mag on 4/2/13 at 10:43 am to Boondock Saint

The subject can't see the view finder. Blame the C on the photographer. Cameras are just as dangerous as guns always look before you shoot. Humminbird>Garmin I'm no baller that can afford 12" monitors but I've been pleased with our 788ci HD

ETA Standard mapping makes satellite chart cards for Lowrance HD units and I use Navionics in Humminbird, I think the new Platinum cards have satellite imagery added.

re: Need advice on a new Garmin GPS unit for my boat.......Posted by geauxpimp on 4/2/13 at 11:09 am to 007mag

If you want to keep a 12 inch screen your choices are basically the 5212 and the 7212 in touch screen options. I have 7212 and I had the 5212 before this one. They are incredibly easy to use, and you will love the G2 vision in dulac. The detail is amazing.

Here's the type of detail you can expect in and around Dulac. I might sell my 7212 if you want a used unit.

And I don't know if you go offshore, but it also has the rig blocks on it. I don't know of another GPS with that option.

re: Need advice on a new Garmin GPS unit for my boat.......Posted by Boondock Saint on 4/2/13 at 11:26 am to geauxpimp

quote:If you want to keep a 12 inch screen your choices are basically the 5212 and the 7212 in touch screen options. I have 7212 and I had the 5212 before this one. They are incredibly easy to use, and you will love the G2 vision in dulac. The detail is amazing.

Thanks for the advice and the photos! I guess my only other question is about the BlueChart g2 Vision charts. Have you used them? I really like the idea of having actual satellite imagery. As of now I use Bing maps on my phone and the detail is amazing (until I get out of range). I would love to have this on my GPS unit.

ETA: I noticed the Mardi Gras rig was already labeled. I fish there and a few other rigs fairly often (when weather permits) and was wondering if you labeled it or do all the rigs come labeled?